Steelers vs. Ravens: Breaking Down Baltimore's Game Plan

Jason Bridge-USA TODAY SportsIf Ray Rice can get going, it'll be a huge boost for the Ravens offense.

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For the Baltimore Ravens, there are no bigger weeks in the season than their matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They can say all they want about how every game is important, but there is something special about a Ravens-Steelers game.

This year, it's even more special because it's the nightcap to a day of Thanksgiving football. It promises to be the game that wakes us up from our turkey-induced slumber, and here are the key factors you should be watching out for.

Pittsburgh likes to get Brown involved with quick-hitters and screens, which allow him to use his elite acceleration to make defenders miss and pick up yards after the catch.

On this 3rd-and-11 play against the Detroit Lions, the Steelers call for a screen, and Brown is able to pick up all 11 yards after the catch and convert the third down thanks to some nice blocking by his teammates.

Later in the quarter, Ben Roethlisberger finds Brown again, and this time he makes two defenders miss in the open field and Brown takes it all the way to the house for a 34-yard touchdown.

NFL GameRewind

Antonio Brown 34-yard TD; courtesy of NFL GameRewind.

Baltimore’s secondary will need to first and foremost wrap up well and not miss tackles. In addition, they need to be prepared for the different methods the Steelers use to get Brown the ball in space.

Bring Down Big Ben

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Terrell Suggs is one of the men who will be out for blood against Roethlisberger.

It’s always a part of the Ravens game plan, but they need to put pressure on Roethlisberger. He has only been sacked once in the last two games, and he’s been demolishing defenses and leading a revitalized Steelers offense.

That offense uses a lot of quick passes and the no-huddle to keep defenses off balance, so Baltimore can’t afford for Roethlisberger to get into a rhythm. They need to get after him, make him uncomfortable and force him to make quick decisions.

The pass rush starts with stopping the run, something the Ravens had trouble doing in Week 7 against Le’Veon Bell. If they can stop the run and force the Steelers into obvious passing situations, they’ll be able to dial up creative blitzes and take Roethlisberger down.

Attack Ike Taylor

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Ike Taylor has lost his mojo in coverage.

It’s strange to contemplate, but it seems that Ike Taylor has taken a step back this year. He’s always been a physical and smart cornerback, but he hasn’t been able to keep up with speedier wide receivers and was just torched by Josh Gordon last week.

Gordon hung a very under-the-radar 237 receiving yards on the Steelers, and Taylor was the one covering him for most of that outburst.

On this play, Gordon runs a simple curl route, but Taylor’s closing speed isn’t great, and he misses the tackle. Gordon picks up 42 yards instead of what should have been an immediate tackle and a 10-yard gain.

Later in that game, the Cleveland Browns were backed up near their own goal line, but Gordon was able to run right by Taylor, gain separation and make a 47-yard catch down the sidelines.

NFL GameRewind

Josh Gordon 47-yard gain vs. Ike Taylor; courtesy of NFL GameRewind.

Taylor was aware of his limitations, as he sometimes backed off Gordon too much. On this simple hook, Taylor fears the double move and continues to drop back and guard against the defense. Of course, that means Gordon is wide open for an easy completion and a 16-yard pickup.